Want to look flawless not only in a picture but also in person?  Learn these tricks to contouring your face and you won’t need to filter your pictures anymore! Contouring basically brightens and highlights your face in all the right places and give your face an even and flawless look. Once you notice the difference, it will be hard to not want to contour your face before you leave the house everyday! Follow these simple and easy steps and you will instantly fall in love with contouring! xoxo

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

• foundation one to two shades darker than your skin tone (don’t go too dark, remember it all has to blend together)
• foundation one shade lighter than your skin tone
• highlighting concealer
• blush (liquid or powder)
• setting powder
• beauty sponge
• flat top brush
• duo fiber blending brush

STEPS: 

• Using the flat top brush and the foundation one skin tone lighter, add highlights to: (DON’T BLEND YET)

1. center of forehead
2. brow bone
3. bridge of nose
4. center upper lip (under your nose)
5. center of chin
6. create and upsides down triangle under the eyes extending it down to the center of your mouth

• Using the flat top brush and the foundation one shade darker, add highlights to: (ONCE AGAIN DON’T BLEND)

1. forehead/along the hairline
2. temples
3. hallows of cheeks- located right below your cheekbones
4. jawline and under chin
5. sides of neck
6. sides of nose and eye crease

(TIP: you can use cream or powders to contour or highlight, creams are easier to blend and tend to look more natural)

• MOST IMPORTANT STEP: BLEND!!

1. using a wet beauty blender or duo fiber blending brush, blend all the contour and highlighter together until there is no more distinction between the two colors.
2. lastly, apply a light dusting of blush on cheek bones.
3. set all the highlight with loose powder using a small bristle brush

(TIP: avoid using bronzer to contour, it will create a “shadow”) 

St. Patrick’s Day is coming up and if you are extremely Irish like I am, then you are bound to have a green filled weekend!! I love this time of year because it is an excuse to dye your food green and not be completely grossed out by it! From Shamrock shakes at McDonalds to green bagels at Tim Hortons, the green food is everywhere!  Here are some fun and easy ideas for some green treats that you can whip up in a giffy! xoxo

1. Green Pancakes- add some green food coloring to your batter during preparation to have green pancakes for breakfast!! Add some whipped cream and chocolate fudge on top to make it that much more mouth watering. 
2. Shamrock Cupcakes- Before you add the batter into the cupcake holders, add marbles to turn the cupcake holders into shamrock shapes (See picture below).  Add the batter and cook according to normal instructions. Add some green food coloring and green icing to turn them into green shamrocks!! 
3. Shamrock Shake- Combine 2 cups of vanilla ice cream, 1 1/4 cup of 2% milk, 1/4 mint extract, and 8 drops of green food coloring into a blender and blend together on high speed until smooth. Pour into cups and enjoy a minty green shake!!
4. Pretzel Bites- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.  Put a piece of foil on a cookie sheet and lay out however many pretzels you want to make. Put a piece of chocolate on each pretzel, then put them in the oven.  Baking time will vary based on your oven and what type of chocolate you use. Usually it takes around a minute to cook or until the chocolate is soft. Once you think the chocolate is soft enough, take the pan out of the oven and place a green M&M on top of the melted chocolate. Let cool and enjoy! 

Everyone knows that planning a wedding takes not only time but also a lot of money. Bride’s-to-be dream of their perfect wedding day for years and years, but when it is actually time to start planning that special day, you have to be practical. Wedding’s can be extremely expensive, but if you are very determined to keep your special day within a certain budget, there are ways to easily cut down costs and get you that fairy tale wedding. Here are some ways to not only cut down for your wedding, but to actually make it that much more special with your own touch added to it! Click on the pictures for more ideas and instructions!

Choosing a location: If you want to save cost on a wedding location, think about what local options you have. Deciding to go with a friends barn or even your own backyard can save you a ton of money. Renting out a park for the day or even a reception hall in a church will be cheaper than a destination wedding or an upscale venue.

Don’t plan your wedding for a Saturday: Even though Saturday is the most popular day to walk down the aisle, try doing a Friday or Sunday wedding instead. Since locations and venues are looking to fill up their calendars rather than have empty seats, you can normally get a discount rate.

Shorten the guest list: If you want to cut down on the guest list, the best place to start is with the kids. You don’t have to invite your friends children, just invite the parents! Also if you cut the “plus-one” out of the invitations, you will save room for more people that you want to attend. If you’re clear on the invitations that there is no ”plus-one” everyone should respect that!

Choose where you want to splurge: If you want a huge extravagant cake, then go for it! Just cut back on costs by making your own invitations or making your own table arrangements. Look on sites like Pinterest for cheap and tasteful arrangements and “Save the Date” ideas that you can do yourself. If you have a friend who is a great photographer or a DJ, hire him for the evening!

Don’t spend a huge amount on your wedding dress: When you begin shopping for your wedding dress, try looking at local boutiques first. Shopping at a local store, like TT New York, will save you on the cost of doing a special order (which can be pricey). You can not only try on the dress you’re thinking of buying, but you can be assured that there won’t be hidden charges like rush fees or shipping fees. Most high end boutiques only carry sample sizes that you will have to special order and wait months to come in, but if you shop local you can buy off the rack! TT has everything from bridal gowns, bridesmaids dresses, and mother of the bride/groom dresses in stock. You won’t have to worry about special ordering and the stress of not knowing if the dress you ordered is exactly what you wanted. Some dress boutiques will have seamstresses on site (TT New York always has 2!!) who are both professionals and are use to working with the dresses in stock. You’ll save not only the trouble of having to find a seamstress that you can trust, but they will normally give you some kind of discount for getting alterations done through the store where you bought your dress.

Borrow something: By borrowing your mothers or grandmothers wedding dress or veil, you will save a bunch of money. It is not only sentimental but classy to have a nice vintage look in your wedding! The saying is: Something Old, Something New; Something Borrowed, Something Blue

There are many different ways to save money on your wedding day and those were just a few ideas. Remember, there are many little things you can do on your own to make it personal. For more ideas check out our Pinterest board and remember TT New York when you’re looking for that special wedding gown! TT New York also carries Mother of the Bride/Groom and Bridesmaids dresses with alterations available on site. Finish off the look with some of our shoes, purses and genuine Swarvowski crystal jewelry sets! TT is a one-stop shop! You can look at our collections on our website or come visit us at our Boulevard Mall and Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls locations!!

Skinny Mom is one of my favorite websites for delicious recipes that are both healthy and easy to make! Below are a few of my favorite recipes from an article in the Food & Nutrition section called “5 Warm, Skinny Drinks to Keep Away the Chill.” All of these recipes are quick and easy to follow! Nothing is better than knowing you are making a delicious drink that is also healthy. Some of the drinks listed are as little as 20 calories!! Check out Skinny Mom for more mouth watering treats!!! (Click any of the pictures below to get the nutritional facts!)

#1- Skinny Pumpkin Spice Latte

• 1/2 cup Libby’s Pure Pumpkin
• 1 cup almond milk
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp pumpkin spice
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 cups coffee, brewed
• *Stevia (or your favorite sweetener) to taste

1. In a small saucepan over low heat, combine all ingredients except coffee and stevia
2. Whisk until heated through and mixed well, about 6-8 minutes
3. Pour over brewed coffee. Add stevia to taste. Top with cinnamon
4. It can be heated to make another latte or served cold for an iced latte

#2- Hot Spiced Witches Brew 

• 1 cup (208 g) dried sugar-free orange-flavored breakfast drink mix
• 1/2 cup (12 g) sugar-free iced tea mix
• 1/4 cup (52 g) sugar-free lemonade-flavored drink mix
• 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) whole chives
• 1 continuous spiral of 1 orange
• 1 continuous spiral of 1 lemon
• 2 gallons (7.5 l) water
• 2-inch (5 cm) cinnamon sticks for swizzles

1. In large pot, slowly bring all ingredients except cinnamon stick to a boil
2. Stir and reduce heat to a low simmer
3. Serve hot in cups with cinnamon stick swizzles

#3- Skinny Up Spiced Cider 

• 1/2 gallon apple cider
• 5 cinnamon sticks
• 1/4 lemon zest
• 1/4 orange zest
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice

1. Pour 1/2 gallon of apple cider into a saucepan
2. Add remaining ingredients into saucepan with apple cider, bring to a boil
3. Cook 5 minutes; reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes
4. Remove from heat (Makes: 11 Servings)

#4- Skinny Hot Chocolate (ONLY 20 CALORIES!!)

• 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa
• 1 cup water
• about 2 packets of stevia (roughly equivalent to 2 tbsp sugar: adjust amount to taste)
• dash salt (seas salt is best)
• 1/4 tsp vanilla or peppermint extract (optional)

1. Combine cocoa, stevia, and salt into heatproof mug and set aside
2. Microwave water on high for 1 to 1 1/2 minutes
3. Slowly add hot water to dry ingredients, mixing constantly
4. Add vanilla, peppermint, or any other extract of choice to add flavor

#5- Iced Caramel Macchiatto (My Favorite!!!)

• 3/4 oz vanilla syrup
• ice
• 2 cups almond milk
• 2 shots espresso
• caramel sauce

1. Pour vanilla syrup into the bottom of your glass.
2. Fill glass with ice almost to the top
3. Pour almond milk over the ice
4. Add some caramel sauce
5. Pour espresso shot over the milk
6. Add more caramel sauce (optional)

I hope you enjoy these 5 Warm, Skinny Drinks as much as I do!! xoxo

Are you looking for different ways to design your nails without spending money going to a nail salon? Well Pinterest has a whole section on nail designs with step by step instructions! Here are a few that anyone can do and still look like you got them done professionally! Check out our Pinterest page for more nail designs!

Thin Stripped Nail: Nail polish (2 colors), thin ribbon and scissors.

1. Paint your nails whatever color you want the stripe to be (if you only want one nail stripped, paint just that nail the color you want the stripe to be)
2. Cut small pieces of thin ribbon and lay across your nail in either a horizontal or vertical pattern
3. You can use a coat of clean nail polish to help keep the ribbon in place
4. Paint the color you want the nail to be over the ribbon
5. Wait about a minute for the polish to dry before lifting the ribbon off the nail (add clear coat after to give a shiny overcoat)

Ombre Stripped Nail: Nail Polish (3 colors), clear tape

1. If you are going to make your nails ombre (light from dark) paint your nails with the lightest color first.
2. Once dry, place a piece of tape at a slant over the nail (showing however much of the light nail color you want underneath the tape)
3. Paint the remainder of the nail the second nail color (darker than the first polish, but not as dark at the third)
4. Repeat step 2
5. Paint the remainder of the nail the final color (the darkest of the three)
6. Add a clear coat over entire nail once polish is dry

Ombre Nail with Makeup Sponge: Nail polish (3 colors), make up sponge (one used with foundation)

1. Paint all nails with a white/nude base coat polish
2. Take nail polish and paint onto make up sponge (look at picture if you are confused)
3. Take sponge and place over nail and hold for 10-20 seconds (you may have to do a few times to get enough polish onto nail)
4. Once polish is dry, go over with clear coat to make polish shiny
5. Use a Q-tip dipped in nail polish remover to go around edge of nails to get polish off your finger
6. Have one finger be painted in sparkles to make the ombre pop!

 Nail Polish Remover Jar: jar, 2 sponges soaked in nail polish remover

And if you want an easy way to remove nail polish without wasting tissues or cotton balls, create a nail polish remover jar! All you need to do is place two sponges inside a jar (after they have been soaked in nail polish remover) leaving a hole in the middle of the jar. Rub your nail back and forth along the sponges and the polish will come off!! It is easy to store, doesn’t make a mess, and so simple to make. No more worrying about spilling remover and runing your counters or wood tables!!

Have you ever felt like being crafty but don’t have a creative bone in your body? Or maybe you’re really into fashion and love keeping up to date with all the latest fashions. Well Pinterest is an amazing website where you get to search a ton of categories and you can “pin” them onto your own board with your own certain sections for different pins. You can go back and look at all the things you have pinned from days or months ago so easily, you won’t be spending hours looking for the one recipe! Here are just some of the many categories Pinterest offers.

For example, if you were planning a wedding you could go to the wedding category and look at all of the different wedding ideas other people have pinned. There will be everything from flower arrangements, to fun bridal party pictures that you can pin onto your own board and come back to later for ideas! (By clicking on any of the pictures in this blog it will forward you to that pin from Pinterest, try it out!)

This site has everything! My favorite section (aside from woman’s fashions) is the Do It Yourself category. You can scan through all the different craft ideas or search ones specifically. For example, you can can get instructions on how to create words on a black mat with bronze push pins…

….or how to make beautiful picture frames as a gift!! If you want to give someone something homemade as a house warming gift or even a birthday present, search through the DIY section and you will find so many amazing activities to not only help you save money but they are fun! It always feels nice to give someone a handmade gift that you know they can cherish for years.

Maybe you love to cook and you are always looking online for new recipes to try out, well Pinterest also has a food category with thousands of different recipes! If you want to learn how to make a delicious baked potato soup for instance, they have a recipe for that! Throwing a party at your house? Search through the food section and you will come across all different types of simple and easy to make treats that will have everyone begging for more! The recipes are easy to follow and you will come across new things you’ve never seen before!

Pinterest is an amazing site that you can spend hours upon hours on. From home decorating, to tattoo ideas and more, it is so convenient to have everything on one site. If you love searching through ideas and trying out new crafts or activities, then I highly suggest checking out Pinterest.  I promise you that you will instantly become hooked! TT New York has its own Pinterest page where we pin everything from prom dresses to the perfect accessories to an outfit. Click on the Pinterest icon below to follow us!